One of Leif's people greeted them upon their arrival. Afterward, her guests were escorted to the grand hall while Leif and Kyran went to the patio leading to the villa's side garden.
Shaiha could not help but snort inelegantly when she noticed Leif's familiarity around the villa.
[For someone who hasn't explored her newly bought villa, she looks very at home and familiar with it.]
Kyran's brow twitched inwardly at Shaiha's remark. He did not understand why she had to say her thoughts aloud inside his sea of consciousness.
True Void would rant in his head, yes, but he rarely shared his internal monologue.
It made Kyran wonder if Shaiha was doing it on purpose to spite him or something.
Leif's people had already prepared the villa's patio. A tea set was placed on top of a round marble table that could seat four people.
Two female mages, acting as servants, helped Leif in her seat while the other prepared the tea. All the while, they gave furtive glances over to Kyran. Unlike Leif's guests, her people knew why she approached him.
Putting aside Leif's interest in Kyran as a person, she also wanted something from him. Unfortunately, the only way to get it was to win him over to her side.
Kyran remained standing even after Leif's servants left.
"There is no need to act reserved," Leif laughed softly while looking at him. She reached for her cup and took a small sip of her tea before saying, "You may sit down."
"I don't see the others."
"Like I said, they will not be joining us."
"I don't mean your friends."
Leif paused midway through, placing her cup down. Her eyes flickered slightly at Kyran's words before she smiled and replied, "Do I look like I will be friends with them?"
Kyran furrowed his brows but did not respond. He did not like how Leif sounded just now. Since meeting her, she had sounded friendly and looked very amiable. But just then, there was a hint of coldness in her tone, and the slight flicker in her sea-green eyes looked like ridicule. Even her smile looked like a sneer.
Leif's smile widened, and this time, she looked to be her friendly self once more.
"My bad," she said. "They are not my friends. However, they are the scions of the families directly under my father. You... do know who my father is, right?"
"Overlord Oceanus."
Leif nodded, "It is good to know you are aware of it."
"He only has one daughter he dotes on," Kyran responded. "I don't think there is anyone in Ogen who doesn't know you."
"Well, that's true," Leif agreed. "But you're new here, so..."
"Would anyone dare use the same title as Overlord Oceanus's daughter? I don't think so."
"Well... there is the matter of you not registering in the plane's Embassy even if you are a visitor," Oceanus started to say.
Kyran narrowed his eyes. The meaning behind Oceanus's statement did not go unnoticed by him. They knew about his entry to Ogen and were waiting to see if he would register at the Embassy.
"As the plane's owner, my father has ways of sensing if a visitor has entered Ogen," Leif explained upon seeing Kyran's silence. "Thus, he knows if that visitor will register or not. If not, then so be it. He just has to stay vigilant and keep an eye on any anomaly in the plane."
"However, after entering the plane, not only did you not show up in the Embassy, but you also did not appear in my senses," Oceanus continued after his daughter.
Kyran did not react. But inwardly, he was already had a bad feeling.
[Calm down. My concealment might be the reason Oceanus failed to sense your presence, but that does not mean he will suspect that you have the Heart of the Cosmos.]
Kyran retained an indifferent expression as he looked at Oceanus's projection.
"I admit to planning to sweep over the plane to look for you because I do not want to risk my people if you are up to no good," Oceanus continued. "Fortunately, my daughter chanced upon you and learned about your rare ability.
"The ability to hide one's presence— concealment."
Kyran raised his brows in surprise. It appeared they only thought Shaiha's concealment was an innate ability.
[I told you. There are other mages in the Higher Realm who possess concealment ability, albeit they are few. Those mages can be an asset to any faction. Thus, many Overlords would fight over one.]
'Don't you think that is something you should have told me first?'
[I didn't think it was important.]
'...'
"... You are interested in my ability."
"That is correct."
"I would want to ask why, but I don't know if you will tell me."
"If you agree to lend us your assistance, then we will."
"I don't even know why you're interested, and you want me to agree first?"
Oceanus gave a wry smile.
"Our conversation will not go anywhere at this rate."
"The Tower of the Ancients."
Oceanus's eyes widened as he looked over to his daughter, "Leif."
Leif smiled sweetly at him and replied, "He is right, father. If we want his help, telling him the truth is better."